Livewire - Amnesty International blogging for human rights

By Colby Goodman, Amnesty International’s Control Arms Campaign

October 7, 2009 – On a day the New York Times exposed more details about Guinean security forces recent use of weapons against thousands of peaceful protestors, Amnesty International participated in what turned out to be an electrified briefing at the United Nations (UN) about preventing the use of arms for serious human rights violations and the need for an Arms Trade Treaty.

Continue reading ‘UN discussions on an Arms Trade Treaty’

Today was the final day of the caravan. We drove from Bo to Waterloo, a town on the outskirts of Freetown. After a quick radio interview for the musicians, we assembled in the field and prepared for the event.

The hot sun was beaming down on the caravan stage and the crowd was scattered on the outskirts of the field, watching the introductions from a distance. Just when we thought we would collapse from heat exhaustion, the sky started rumbling and the rain poured down.

When it rains in Sierra Leone it really does pour, but it was such sweet relief from the sun that we all stayed outside and relished it. Just as quickly, the rain disappeared, the clouds parted and the show continued. At the end of the event, Brima (Sierra Leone Director) acknowledged all the participants on the caravan and we all went on stage to sing the maternal mortality song.

Continue reading ‘The end of the Sierra Leone caravan’

We split up today and did a number of different things in Bo. This morning, I went to a local radio station with Solomon, the section campaigner and the musicians.

The musicians were interviewed about their involvement in Amnesty International’s campaign on maternal mortality and why they think maternal mortality is an important issue to focus on in Sierra Leone. Solomon was asked questions about Amnesty International, the caravan and the reasons behind the high maternal mortality rates in the country.

Everyone was pleased with the interview and the musicians feel that they have really benefited from being part of the caravan and would like to continue the work in the longer-term.

Continue reading ‘Reaching out to the central mosque in Bo’

Kabala is a mountainous town in Koinadugu district – the largest district in Sierra Leone with the roughest terrain and according to the available statistics the highest maternal mortality rates. Most people use motorcycle taxis to manoeuvre around the mountains, but in an emergency it isn’t easy.

When we were discussing the fact that one in eight women die in Sierra Leone from pregnancy and childbirth related complications, a volunteer stated that it used to be much worse before.

It poured down with rain before the launch event and finished just in time for the start. However, half way through the play the sky started rumbling again and the rain came pouring down.

Continue reading ‘Rain doesn’t deter people in mountainous Kabala’

The drive back from Kambia to Makeni was beautiful. There is green grass for miles, with tropical trees and rushing rivers. We passed many villages on the way with people selling snacks.

A heavily pregnant woman sold me some bananas when we stopped – we were still miles away from Makeni, where the main hospital is. I dread to think what would happen to her if she had complications.

We got back to Makeni at midday today and had an NGO partner meeting shortly after to discuss longer-term plans. We identified three main areas to focus on in the longer-term including the monitoring of health systems, working with local communities on empowerment, information and human rights education and campaigning activism. They all work on issues surrounding these areas and are planning to incorporate maternal mortality in their work.

Continue reading ‘Joining in the dancing in Mapaki in Sierra Leone’